Oyo Speaker Bars Journalists From Assembly

There was a drama today at the Oyo State House of Assembly as the Speaker, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu barred journalists from covering the legislative proceedings.

The order gave security operatives, especially men of State Security Service (SSS) the opportunity to humiliate, harass and embarrass journalists with impunity.

They attempted to beat up journalists if not for the quick intervention of some senior police officers.

Journalists who had besieged the parliament building as early as 9am were locked out while the security men informed them that the Speaker said they should not allowed into the chamber.

Investigations revealed that the speaker was angry with the press following a feature story published in Sunday Punch by Olalekan Adetayo x-raying the inexperience of the new lawmakers in parliamentary procedures.

The entrance into the press gallery was taken over by stern looking policemen and SSS.

However, the house elected its officials during the sitting.

Elected officers were: Honourable James Akande Oyeniran (ACN) representing Oluyole as Majority Leader, Honourable Adigun Abiodun Ahmed (ACN)representing Akinyele 2 as Chief Whip, Honourable Kehinde Sobair (ACN), as Deputy Minority Leader, Adekunle Tunji Rafiu (PDP) represnting Saki West as Minority Leader, Adesina Adeyemo Michael (PDP) reprensenting Ibarapa East as Deputy Chief whip, Salami Fatai (ACN) reprensenting Iseyin/Itesiwaju as Chairman Parliament.

Three parties’ Whips were also elected and they were: Amos Adewale for PDP, Adeoye Adeniyi representing Ibadan North East 2 for Accord, and Oladipo Akeem Abimbola representing Ibadan North West for ACN.

By Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan